The problem of Language and the recruitment of members

Most folks believe that joining an ethnic based political party entails that you have to speak the lingo to get in. This, I am afraid, is a misconception. At the Malaysian Chinese Association, there has been a steady Mandarin-ization ever since the time of Lee San Choon in the 1980's. This is due to the fact that the grassroots have always been Mandarin speaking. Subsequently, important meetings e.g. AGMs have been conducted in Mandarin. Those Anglophiles attending for the first time often experience culture shock and try their best to look intelligent while at the same time absorbing none of the proceedings. Some who are more streetwise sit instead next to somebody who speaks Mandarin, and get the gyst of the proceedings.

This has, I am afraid, deterred quite a few potential recruits who have attended our MCA meetings. It is most unfortunate that some of the Anglophiles who have attended state and even national level meetings have felt like strangers and non-Chinese during the meetings. This puts them off from joining the party, and instead choose a platform where English is spoken, their options being (1) Other Political Parties (Gerakan, KeADILan, PRM, PPP, and even PAS) and (2) NGOs (e.g. SUARAM, WAO, etc).

Instead, I say to these people that MCA was first founded by the Anglophiles and evolved eventually to incorporate the Mandarin speaking. The roots of the party are the type of party which they would find friendly. More importantly is the fact that MCA seeks to represent ALL Malaysian Chinese, and involve ALL Malaysian Chinese in the struggle to upkeep the welfare of the Chinese community in Malaysia.

There are in fact only three (3) qualifications to joining the Malaysian Chinese Association: First, the candidate must be Malaysian. Second, the candidate must be Chinese. And third, the candidate must be above 18 years of age. There has been no requirement that a candidate for membership must speak Mandarin. Even if the candidate speaks only English, or only Malay, or even only Tamil, Telegu, Arabic, Thai, Russian, Kadazan, Tagalog, or any other language, it does not matter at all. As long as the earlier mentioned three criteria are met, the candidate is qualified to join MCA as a member.

The Malaysian Chinese Association is undergoing some changes, for the betterment of the Chinese community. It seeks to remain relevant, even as many young Chinese professionals become apolitically inclined, and become disinterested about the state of affairs of the Chinese community. It is only when their children are denied places in Chinese schools or local universities that these people will seek the aid of MCA. The same people who root for DAP will knock on the doors of MCA MP's and seek the help of the MCA. One would think that after help has been given, these people would be grateful and perhaps even join MCA. But instead they complain that the placing given was not satisfactory. They grumble that the MCA MP's don't do a good job. And worse, they walk away from the offer, after all the haggling and pushing done by MCA on their behalf. It only goes to show that you can never please all people.

Politics is not about power and corruption. It is undeniable that certain quarters will engage in those. But by and large, when you are struggling for the welfare of a minority community (we Malaysian Chinese supposedly make up only about 24.3% of the entire population) you have to realize that political boundaries set yesterday are being pushed today by certain quarters. If there is no participation in politics, by tomorrow those boundaries will have shifted. New economic developments as well as technological advancements enlarge the economic pie as well, but the use of discretionary grants of licences et al can only mean that there is ample room for abuse of the discretion by Government administrative staff. For this reason alone, it is more than justifiable that Malaysian Chinese should put their support behind the party that raises the issues for them and negotiates on their behalf.

And with these thoughts I seek to start the day on a brighter note.